U.S. patent application number 09/767968 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-25 for method and apparatus for automatically detecting a paper user interface.
Invention is credited to Dash, Robert J., Gusmano, Donald J..
Application Number | 20020097426 09/767968 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25081116 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020097426 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gusmano, Donald J. ; et
al. |
July 25, 2002 |
Method and apparatus for automatically detecting a paper user
interface
Abstract
A system and method for facilitating the distribution of a
digital data file representing an original document by providing a
coded cover sheet containing distribution processing instructions
in the form of a paper UI. The code indicating the presence of the
paper UI. The system includes an optical sensor which detects the
code and signals a control processor to process the paper UI
instructions.
Inventors: |
Gusmano, Donald J.;
(Henrietta, NY) ; Dash, Robert J.; (Victor,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ralph D. Gelling, Esq.
Perman & Green, LLP
425 Post Road
Fairfield
CT
06430
US
|
Family ID: |
25081116 |
Appl. No.: |
09/767968 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03G 15/5016 20130101;
H04N 1/00968 20130101; G03G 2215/00109 20130101; H04N 1/00
20130101; G03G 2215/00902 20130101; H04N 1/00209 20130101; Y10T
428/24777 20150115; G03G 15/5087 20130101; H04N 1/00376
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.15 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/00; B41F
001/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A system for distributing a digital data file from an original
document, said data file being generated by scanning said document
in a multifunction machine, said system comprising: a controller
designed to control the functioning of the multifunction machine,
to process the digital data file therefrom and direct said file to
a document data file distribution pathway and/or other functional
pathways; a cover page of said document comprising a paper UI
having information contained thereon relating to the desired
distribution of said document data file, said paper UI including an
optically detectable code, said code indicating that the cover page
is a paper UI; and an optical sensor positioned to read said cover
page and detect the presence of a paper UI, said optical sensor
signaling said controller, prior to the generation of said document
data file, when said paper UI is present to enable said controller
to select the document data file distribution pathway.
2. A system for distributing a digital data file from an original
document, said data file being generated by scanning said document
in a multifunction machine, as described in claim 1, wherein said
document data file distribution pathway is constructed having a
processor controlled by a data distribution module.
3. A system for distributing a digital data file from an original
document, said data file being generated by scanning said document
in a multifunction machine, as described in claim 1, wherein said
optically detectable code comprises a bar code having a
predetermined pattern indicating the presence of a paper UI.
4. A system for distributing a digital data file from an original
document, said data file being generated by scanning said document
in a multifunction machine, as described in claim 3, wherein said
optically detectable code is positioned as a border at the margins
of the paper UI.
5. A system for distributing a digital data file from an original
document, said data file being generated by scanning said document
in a multifunction machine, as described in claim 3, wherein said
optically detectable code comprises a bar code having a
predetermined pattern further indicating the type of document being
processed.
6. Apparatus for detecting processing information on the cover page
of a document in a multifunction machine having a scanner to
convert the document into a digital data file, said multifunction
machine including a controller designed to control said
multifunction machine and to direct said digital data file to a
document data file distribution pathway; said apparatus comprising:
a cover page of said document comprising a paper UI having
information contained thereon relating to the desired distribution
of said document data file, said paper UI including an optically
detectable code, said code indicating that the cover page is a
paper UI; and an optical sensor positioned to read said cover page
and detect the presence of a paper UI, said optical sensor
signaling said controller, prior to the operation of said scanner
of said multifunction machine, when said paper UI is present to
enable said controller to select the document data file
distribution pathway.
7. Apparatus for detecting processing information on the cover page
of a document in a multifunction machine having a scanner to
convert the document into a digital data file, said multifunction
machine including a controller designed to control said
multifunction machine and to direct said digital data file to a
document data file distribution pathway; said apparatus, as
described in claim 6, wherein said document data file distribution
pathway is constructed having a processor controlled by a data
distribution module.
8. Apparatus for detecting processing information on the cover page
of a document in a multifunction machine having a scanner to
convert the document into a digital data file, said multifunction
machine including a controller designed to control said
multifunction machine and to direct said digital data file to a
document data file distribution pathway; said apparatus, as
described in claim 6, wherein said optically detectable code
comprises a bar code having a predetermined pattern indicating the
presence of a paper UI.
9. Apparatus for detecting processing information on the cover page
of a document in a multifunction machine having a scanner to
convert the document into a digital data file, said multifunction
machine including a controller designed to control said
multifunction machine and to direct said digital data file to a
document data file distribution pathway; said apparatus, as
described in claim 8, wherein said optically detectable code is
positioned as a border at the margins of the paper UI.
10. Apparatus for detecting processing information on the cover
page of a document in a multifunction machine having a scanner to
convert the document into a digital data file, said multifunction
machine including a controller designed to control said
multifunction machine and to direct said digital data file to a
document data file distribution pathway; said apparatus, as
described in claim 8, wherein said optically detectable code
comprises a bar code having a predetermined pattern further
indicating the type of document being processed.
11. A method for distributing a digital data file from an original
document generated by a multifunction machine, said machine having
a controller for processing said digital data file, comprising the
steps of: converting information on the original document to a
digital data file; processing said digital data file and selecting
a pathway for further processing of said digital data file, said
selectable pathways including a document data file distribution
pathway; constructing a cover page for said document comprising a
paper UI having information contained thereon relating to the
desired distribution of said document data file, said paper UI
including an optically detectable code, said code indicating that
the cover page is a paper UI; using an optical sensor positioned to
read said cover page and detect the presence of a paper UI;
signaling said controller, prior to the generation of said digital
data file, when said paper UI is present to enable said controller
to select the document data file distribution pathway.
12. A method for distributing a digital data file from an original
document generated by a multifunction machine, said machine having
a controller for processing said digital data file, said method, as
described in claim 11, wherein said document data file distribution
pathway is constructed having a processor controlled by a data
distribution module.
13. A method for distributing a digital data file from an original
document generated by a multifunction machine, said machine having
a controller for processing said digital data file, said method, as
described in claim 11, wherein said optically detectable code
comprises a bar code having a predetermined pattern indicating the
presence of a paper UI.
14. A method for distributing a digital data file from an original
document generated by a multifunction machine, said machine having
a controller for processing said digital data file, said method, as
described in claim 13, wherein said optically detectable code is
positioned as a border at the margins of the paper UI.
15. A method for distributing a digital data file from an original
document generated by a multifunction machine, said machine having
a controller for processing said digital data file, said method, as
described in claim 13, wherein said optically detectable code
comprises a bar code having a predetermined pattern further
indicating the type of document being processed.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to facilitating the
distribution of documents generated in digital form by
multi-function devices which provides scanning, printing, and
facsimile capability. Through the use of document distribution
software, the digital information generated by these devices can be
sent to multiple applications, repositories and media.
[0002] The FlowPort.TM. software available from Xerox is an example
of document distribution software designed to merge paper documents
into E-mail, workflow, and document management systems. It performs
the functions of distributing, retrieving and storing digital
documents generated by scanning paper documents.
[0003] This type of software is set up to scan commands from a
paper user interface which is generated by the user. The user
simply fills out a form and directs, by an appropriate, menu driven
user interface, the multifunction process controller to recognize
the paper instructions. This requires that the image processor
examine the image to determine if it is a paper user interface
(paper UI) and, if it is, direct the image to a scan to file
pathway where it is stored in an appropriate buffer. This requires
a mid-stream processing change.
[0004] It is a purpose of this invention to provide a method of
detecting the paper UI prior to the scanning and image processing
steps and automatically provide the control processor with
instructions. This eliminates the need to provide this
functionality on the user interface. It will also reduce the need
to interrupt the image processing and eliminate the scan
buffer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention is designed to simplify certain functions of
a multi-function or similar printing machine. The machine in which
the invention is used generates a digital image of an original
document for printing, faxing, or copying. The document is scanned
to create the digital image which is processed according to the
desired function. The system of the machine includes a document
distribution processor which is controlled by document distribution
software. This software analyzes information on a document which
contains instructions for the handling of the digital information
relating to a particular job. The document is called a paper UI and
is simply a paper form which is prepared by the user. The paper UI
of this invention is constructed having marking in the nature of
bar coding or other similar optically readable code. The bar code
may be constructed as a series of lines along the border of the
paper UI to accommodate the general range of document feeders. An
optical sensor is placed in the path of the document feed to read
the coded border of the paper UI and provide a signal to the
control processor of the multifunction machine. The control
processor would direct the digital information to a document
distribution processor. Document distribution software would cause
the distribution processor to analyze the information on the paper
UI and to handle the digital document in accordance with such
information. When the bar code is sensed, the cover page is treated
by the processor as a paper UI and the machine will change mode to
accommodate this function prior to scanning the document.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0006] The invention is described in more detail below with
reference to the attached drawing in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the system for implementing the
invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the steps of the method of
this invention;
[0009] FIG. 3a is an example of a bar coded paper UI according to
this invention, and
[0010] FIG. 3b is an example of a bar code for use in accordance
with this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] A multi-function device 1 is shown in FIG. 1 and is
constructed to allow the user to process a document or other
material by scanning, printing, copying and/or faxing. Although,
the input to the multi-function device may be provided by a variety
of devices connected through a network server (not shown), this
invention is primarily concerned with digital data generating from
an original paper document. Once the document is converted to
digital form a considerable number of destination opportunities
arise. To assist in servicing these opportunities, document
distribution software is available, such as the FLOWPORT.TM.
software available from Xerox Corporation. Document distribution
software drives a processor to distribute the digital image to
e-mail servers, remote printers, document repositories,
applications and other destinations.
[0012] One of the features of this type of software is its ability
to analyze image data for instructions regarding the handling of
the document data. The instructions are inputted by means of a
paper form referred to as a paper user interface (UI). A paper UI
1, designed according to this invention, is shown in FIG. 4. It is
coded with a bar code 2 or other code which is optically readable.
As shown in FIG. 4, the bar code is printed as a border extending
around the margins of the document 3. An optical reader or sensor
5, is positioned in the path of the document 3, for example
adjacent to the paper tray or document feeder 6. Placing the code
at the margins of the paper UI 1, insures the sensor 5 will be
exposed to the bar code no matter what the nature of the document
feed. In this manner the optical reader 5 can accommodate long edge
feeding, short edge feeding, center registered document feeders,
and edge registered document feeders.
[0013] The bar code 2 may consist of a series of lines or markings
4 having a predetermined length and width as shown in FIG. 3b. The
optical reader would look for a recognized pattern and trigger the
document distribution pathway.
[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, a multifunction machine 7 which includes
a scanner or other means of converting a document to a digital
format. Document feeder 6 receives an original document for
processing in the machine 7. An optical scanner 5 is positioned in
the path of the document 3 to detect a paper UI 1 by recognizing
bar code 2, thereby indicating to the system that cover sheet 3
contains handling instructions. The output 8 of machine 7 is
processed by controller 9, according to the desired function.
Controller 9 is constructed with a multiple function processing
pathway 10 and a document distribution pathway 11. When a paper UI
1 is detected, the digital output 8 is sent to document
distribution processor 12 which is controlled by a software module
13. Processor 12 directs the data 8 in accordance with the
instructions contained on paper UI 1. The distribution is
accomplished by an appropriate communication medium, such as
network 14. Network 14 may serve a variety of destinations such as
remote printer 15, Internet server 16, an e-mail address 17,
assorted applications 18, storage repository 19, and many other
functions represented generally at 20.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of the method of this
invention. The cover page 3 of a document is analyzed by an optical
scanner 5 to determine if it is a paper UI. In accordance with this
invention, the paper UI is distinguished by marking its margins
with a bar code. If optical scanner 5 detects a bar code, the cover
sheet is a paper UI. Controller 9 is then instructed to direct the
output data 8 from multifunction machine 7 to the document
distribution pathway 11. Document distribution processor 12 directs
the digital data file of the document according to the instructions
of the paper UI. The instructions are analyzed and processed in
accordance with document distribution software. In this manner the
initial operational pathway is determined prior to scanning the
document.
[0016] In alternate embodiments of this invention, additional
information may be represented by the bar code for example, the
type of document, for example supplies reorder forms, registration
forms, etc. An application specific pathway would then be
indicated, for example, to facilitate reordering of supplies or
other common, repetitive tasks.
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